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Restaurants›McCracken’s Irish Pub›Classic Cheeseburger Recipe

Classic Cheeseburger Recipe

Name: McCracken’s Irish Pubs CLASSIC CHEESEBURGER Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend); 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle or pan); 2 each hamburger buns (split, preferably brioche or potato); 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese slices; 2 tsp unsalted butter (softened, for toasting buns); 4 leaves romaine lettuce leaves (washed, large); 0.5 each ripe tomato; 0.25 each red onion; 4 slices dill pickle slices (optional); 3 tbs mayonnaise; 1 tbs ketchup; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1 tsp dill pickle relish (sweet or dill, finely chopped); 0.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 0.5 tsp apple cider vinegar; 0.25 tsp garlic powder; 0.25 tsp onion powder; 0.125 tsp black pepper

Inspired by McCracken’s Irish Pub

Time30m

Serves2

Hand-pattied cheeseburger with romaine, tomato, red onion, and house-made burger sauce

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties & Seasoning

1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle or pan)

Buns & Cheese

2 each hamburger buns (split, preferably brioche or potato)

2 slices sharp cheddar cheese slices

2 tsp unsalted butter (softened, for toasting buns)

Produce & Toppings

4 leaves romaine lettuce leaves (washed, large)

1/2 each ripe tomato

1/4 each red onion

4 slices dill pickle slices (optional)

House-made Burger Sauce

3 tbs Mayonnaise

1 tbs Ketchup

1 tsp yellow mustard

1 tsp dill pickle relish (sweet or dill, finely chopped)

1/2 tsp Original Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 tsp Apple cider vinegar

1/4 tsp Watkins garlic powder

1/4 tsp Onion powder

1/8 tsp black pepper

Method

Burger Patties & Seasoning

Form patties

Divide the ground beef into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Gently form each portion into a round patty about 3/4 to 1 inch thick and slightly wider than the bun. Do not overwork the meat. Use your thumb to press a shallow dimple in the center of each patty to reduce doming while cooking.

Season

Season both sides of the patties generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper just before cooking.

Cook patties

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, spreading to coat. When oil is shimmering, place patties on the hot surface. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until a brown crust forms. Flip once and cook 2-3 minutes more for medium (adjust time +/- for desired doneness). During the last 45-60 seconds of cooking, place one slice of sharp cheddar on each patty and cover the skillet (or tent with foil) to melt the cheese.

Buns & Cheese

Toast buns

While patties cook, spread about 1 teaspoon softened butter on each cut face of the hamburger buns. Place buns cut-side down on a separate skillet or on the griddle for 30-60 seconds until golden and lightly crisp. Watch closely to avoid burning.

House-made Burger Sauce

Mix sauce

In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon finely chopped dill pickle relish, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk until smooth and taste; adjust seasoning or acidity (add a pinch of salt or a few drops more vinegar) if desired.

Produce & Assembly

Prepare produce

While patty cooks and sauce rests, slice the tomato into 1/4-inch thick rounds and separate romaine leaves. Thinly slice red onion into rings. If using pickles, have 2 slices per burger ready.

Assemble cheeseburgers

Spread about 1 tablespoon of the house-made burger sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a romaine leaf on the sauce, then add the cheeseburger patty (cheese side up). Top with a tomato slice, a few red onion rings (to taste), and pickles if using. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the top bun and close the sandwich. Serve immediately.

Serving suggestion

Serve the classic cheeseburger hot with fries, chips, or a simple side salad. Provide extra sauce on the side if desired.